Ergonomic refraction station and method for using same

ABSTRACT

The ergonomic refraction station and procedure of use consists of a phoropter helmet, chair, work table, monitor and electronic circuit, which seeks to perform a refraction test in the conditions most similar to the usual work environment of the examinee, for this it consists of a lightweight phoropter helmet, which adjusts to the size of the user, made of transparent material to allow contact with its surroundings and execute the usual movements of head, neck, eyes and working distance, parameters that are captured by optical, distance and inclination sensors, located on the phoropter helmet or on the flexible and adjustable table with “swan neck” arms, so that once the patient places the phoropter helmet and sits on the chair and table, the sensors send information to a microprocessor that shall recognize the real working conditions of the patient and adapt them to the conditions of the ergonomic refraction station, such as: size of letters, aligned inclinations of head-eye-hand coordination with the vision charts, lighting and thus adequately projecting the reading chart on the table and the characters and graphics that the examinee shall read; It also includes removable multifocal lenses or in a test case with the appropriate coupling, noncircular eyepieces with a greater visual field than the traditional ones for the far, middle and near vision test and ocular covers.

PRIOR TECHNOLOGY

Currently, a refraction unit consisting of tree, chair that rises andfalls with reclining backrest, focused lighting that is graduated withrheostat, one of the swinging arms holds a device called a phoropter,the arm extends forward and backward, rises, falls and moveshorizontally and has a terminal spike that fits into the phoroptersecured by a captive fastener, the phoropter is suspended by the armthus transmitting a rigidity in the manipulation that limits itsmovements, this implies that it is manipulated by the examiner abruptlyand with discomfort in front of the patient and is perceived as a rigidand heavy element by the examinee on his face, said device is used inthe refraction of the eye during the visual test to determine therefractive error and the prescription with lenses, contains monofocalspherical positive and negative lenses (51) and others cylinder lenses,step button (38) for the cylinder lenses, other attachments are the JCC(Jackson Crosscilindro), step button for “R”, “PH” and others (37),Rihsley prisms (39), with vision zone restricted to the small diametereyepieces, same eyepieces are used so that the patient through themreads the far optotype and the near vision charts without consideringtheir natural movement of head, neck and eyes since the support of thephoropter does not allow this type of movements, nor the determinationof the pantoscopic angle, in addition, as the phoropter is made ofnon-transparent materials, it prevents the perception of theenvironment, depth and working distance for the patient of the near andintermediate vision, on the other hand near vision charts are notdesigned according to work environment. During the eye examination, thepatient sits and stands behind the phoropter looking through circulareyepieces a screen of optotypes located in front, at the opticalinfinity (20 feet or 6 meters), long-sighted patients whose disorder iscorrected with bifocal or progressive lenses, do not perform a real testof future bifocal or progressive lenses to be used since these are notincorporated into the current phoropter so they are not used during thevisual acuity test with lenses, they are only incorporated withmonofocal lenses and it is not possible with lenses of test cases (theyare also mono focal), so that, currently, lenses for far vision and nearvision are tested separately, far, middle and near vision are nevertested with multifocal lenses, so there is no certainty of the degree ofcomfort that the patient shall have when using multifocal lenses. As itis known, when prescribing progressive or multifocal lenses, one shouldtake into account the panoramic pantoscopic angle of the frame,convergence vision and near and middle working distance, for example,for the use of the computer or a vernier in a workshop, using thecurrent phoropter, it is not possible to measure and graduate by meansof the phoropter the negative pantoscopic angle, nor the panoramicinclination or angle, nor to test the reading in different workingdistances.

DESCRIPTION

Ergonomic refraction station and procedure of use, according to FIG. 15in which the examinee graduates, adjusts and simulates each dimensionaccording to its working environment, that is: inclination, lighting,distance, said station consists of a phoropter with casing (I) made oftransparent, lightweight and resistant material, such as polycarbonate,crown for lenses made of transparent material (2), with mono focallenses system and removable multifocal lenses, the proposed inventionallows to see through the whole casing and improves the peripheralvision, the perception of the environment by the examinee, it makes iteasier to estimate the working distance and depth, on its turn, theexaminer perceives better through the transparent casing, the gestures,positions and movements of the patient, the non-metallic casing makes itlighter, it has rounded eyepieces wider than usual, in such a way thatthey allow far, medium and near vision field, arranged in V-shape, ithas a helmet with a band that adjusts to the size of the head of thepatient assembled with a ball joint to the phoropter, which facilitatesits control with the movements of the patient's head and face, thepatient being the one who directs the movements of the phoroptersimulating the movements made by the head, neck and eyes in alldirections when reading texts on far, middle and near distance visioncharts, inclinations and angular measurements of the head and thephoropter helmet being recorded by inclination sensors incorporated intothe station, in this way the phoropter is directed by the patient andnot as before by the examiner, because thanks to its specialcharacteristics: upper and front ball joints, light weight, weightreduction when removing multifocal lenses in non-long-sighted patientsand supporting support that originates in the chair, it is the patientwho directs the movement of the equipment simulating actual conditionsof use of optical correction in the patient's habitual work station; thephoropter helmet does not require the tree of the traditional refractionunit nor the additional arm to support it, in addition, the ergonomicrefraction station allows to determine the working reading distance evenif the patient prefers standing, in the cases in which it is thepatient's usual working position given the flexibility and lengtheningof the swan arm and the chair sitting upright. Ergonomic, rotating chairthat allows the examination in sitting and standing position, withadjustable height, backrest that runs back and forth, variableinclination seat. The phoropter helmet allows the visual acuity to betaken at far, medium and near distances registering the natural movementof the head, eyes and neck; software measures and shows the inclinationof the reading table and head with respect to the horizontal andvertical, the working distance, the illumination of the surface requiredaccording to the job of the examinee, the helmet (3), with structuralaxis (48) and headband adjustable to the size of the patient's head,supported by “swan neck” support (6), lower support (50) and on theupper part by a ball joint (40) that allows it to rotate in alldirections, as the head of the patient may direct it with all comfortdue to the ball joint system and the light weight of the phoropter, thefrontal part thereof supported by two flexible side arms (7), thanks tothe springs that reach each adjustable hinge (8) and the screws (9)forming the phoropter helmet assembly that facilitates the movement ofthe patient's head downwards when changing from looking to the frontinto focusing the near working distance; in its upper part the upperfront ball joint (4), the side arms attach to the articulated joints orhinges (8) allowing the appropriate adjustment according to the size ofthe head and rest on the ears at a breaking angle of the terminal (11)also adjustable by the rotor (17). The phoropter helmet is moved by thepatient, when introducing the head, lowers and raises the head with thehelp of the neck of the flexible support (6) as the patient wouldnaturally do to work, lowers and inclines the head and the gaze formingand registering the pantoscopic angle, it also has speakers (16) for theoutput of incorporated sounds according to the selected workenvironment, at the same time being as an auditory reference whenchoosing the working distances at the moment of determining the additionfor the formula of near or intermediate vision for working distances ofthe table, said table may have two or more complementary and assembledparts. It has concentric lenses (spherical and cylindrical) andincorporates multifocal lenses (27) having greater diameter than theprevious ones that can be withdrawn or removed from the equipment tomake it lighter in patients who do not require them as those who havenot gotten presbyopia, only extracting the central pins (47) of the lenscoupling system (26); eyepieces (29) arranged in the V-shape, with adistance from the far vision optical centers greater than the nearvision distance for the determination of the addition that allow thetest of the final prescription of glasses given the convergence in thenear vision, movable eyepieces covers (28) that limit the use if it isrequired to test the vision only for far or all distances. A coupling(43) for the crown (2) of multifocal lenses and the lens holder (44) ofthe test case and progressive removable lenses, also has speakers toemit the sounds characteristic of the occupational environment,simulating the customized work environment, and projects anindividualized test chart (32) according to the job on the rotary table(13), having variable height, which is incorporated in the refractionstation, one of the chart models includes formulas for the case of apatient working as engineer, with characters of indicated size, contrastand lighting, which includes in its design figures of hands of differentsizes (31) for different ages of the patient and is located in adesignated place within the work environment that is projected on thetable, the projected hands overlap or are aligned with those of thepatient with the guide of led bulb lights (14) and with another figureof hands (15) projected on the table that the patient rotates untilreaching the usual position of work, the hands projected on the tablecomplement and overlap with parts of the hand that is drawn on thechart, both figures are guided by the LED lights when the patient placeshis/her hands and hand optical sensors (22), distributed on the tablesends the information to the microprocessor that adjusts the size of thefigures of hands to the real ones. Light LED sensors around and opticalsensors in said figure, send the information to the microprocessor andit adjusts the projected size to the user size, likewise adjusts thesize of the projected chart between the hands, distance sensor (20)measures the eye-hand distance and sends information to themicroprocessor and it selects the size of the optotype and projects theline of visual acuity on the chart according to it, inclination sensoror electronic table compass (18) that sends the information to themicroprocessor (23) about the angle of the table and relates it to thepantoscopic angle and it adjusts to the ergonomic reference values.Distance sensor (20) that sends information to microprocessor (23) andthis one selects and shows on the monitor (24) the RI-lens or distancecompensator. This improves the perception of distance and depth by thepatient, including a software that sends the order to the adjustableprojector (30) and it projects the optotypes that are images of a workenvironment on the table that also moves and tilts thanks to its supporton two swan-neck arms (12) that come out of the chair of the station andthat give it upwards, downwards, backwards and forwards and inclinedmovements that do not interfere with the armrests, with a tray or bladewith support shaft (54) and rail (55) that slides forwards andbackwards, adopts inclined positions, devices in front part (34) toplace disposable and nose protector (35) including board holder toaccommodate at that point of support on the patient's face, captivefastener (42), pantoscopic angle sensor (10) and levers (25) of positiveand negative panoramic angle or button for adjusting monocularconvergence, panoramic hinges (5) with pupil panoramic inclinationsensor (49) for positive and negative or divergent angles. Side armsleave the lower support (50) which in turn engages the central axis ofthe support (46) in the lower part, projecting forward and upwards andfrom there they exit horizontally until the next hinge on the side frontpart of the phoropter; from the internal part of this hinge another armadjustable with screw is detached that indicates the pantoscopic angle,adjustable to the size of the patient's head and with terminal at anangle of support on the ear or breaking angle. The software records allthe working conditions for the clinical history of: surfaceillumination, inclination angle, letter size, working distance,pantoscopic angle, diopter, panoramic angle, back inclination, the chaircan even vibrate as it happens when driving. Test charts forcomputerized projectors, with characters of size, contrast,characterized by figures of real-size hands (31) for the patient's ageand located at a place (33) indicated within the work environment thatis projected on the table, according to the job, it includes formulasfor engineers, graphics and images related to the job, the hands areoverlapped or aligned with the guide of lights, in the same way itadjusts the size of the projected chart between the hands, distancesensor sends information to the microprocessor and it selects the sizeof the optotype, the line of visual acuity on the chart and theinclination of characters of the chart according to the position ofhands, head and eyes.

Procedure of the station: The information provided to the software inthe anamnesis as age, sex, occupation, together with the options thatthe patient selects on his usual reading position at work, that is,body, head, eyes and hands position, they are analyzed by the softwarewhich then analyzes and decides on the ergonomic parameters for thissubject, immediately the station comprising: the chair for sitting andstanding position, rotating table and phoropter helmet adopt thesepositions, which is recorded by the inclination, panoramic, pantoscopic,table angle, head and articulated joints sensors, similarly, the handsof the examiner when resting on the table, activate the optical sensors,indicating to the microprocessor which is the actual size and positionof the patient's hands, so that the figure of hands (15) projected ontothe table tray (19), overlap or align with the patient ones with theguide of lights (14) on the table, which improves the perception ofdistance and depth by the patient, the software sends information of theangles of inclination of the head (inclination sensor located on thephoropter helmet) (45) and of the table, and of horizontal display, tothe micro processor, it decides and orders to properly project thereading chart, this according to eye-hand and eye-hand visual-motorcoordination, the microprocessor assembled to the arduino powered by 12Volts, indicates the best working distance, letter size for 20/20,lighting quantity and direction, with the multifocal lens step button(36) the lens indicated for the age of the presbyopic patient is placedin front of the eyepiece.

The examinee selects on the monitor his/her usual work position, thatis, the position of the body, head, eyes, hands, head-hand distance,lighting and environment sound. The software receives the informationand indicates the ergonomic parameters for this subject and transfersthem to the sensors of the ergonomic refraction station. The chair,adjustable rotating table and phoropter helmet adopt the indicatedpositions guided by the sensors of inclination: panoramic, pantoscopicangle, angle of table and head. The phoropter helmet is adjusted to thesize of the patient's head. Distances are adjusted: chair height, table,table arms, “swan neck” support, side arms of phoropter. The examinerrests his hands on the table and activates the optical sensors (22)located on the table, which indicate to the micro processor which is theactual size and position of the patient's hands, until the figure ofhands (15) projected on the table tray (19), overlap or align with thepatient ones with the guide of lights (14) on the table. The handsprojected on the table complement and overlap with parts of the handthat are drawn on the chart, both figures are guided by LED lights untilthe patient places his/her own hands, the sensor sends the informationto the microprocessor (23) that adjust the size The microprocessorreceives information about the inclination angle of the head(inclination sensor located on the phoropter helmet) (45), pantoscopicangle (10), panoramic angle (49) and angle of the table (18), so thatthe projector focuses on the reading chart. The microprocessor selectsthe letter size for the 20/20, of the chart, of the optotype, the amountof illumination, direction thereof, the line of visual acuity on thechart and the inclination of the characters of the chart according tothe position of hands, head, eyes and working distance. The patientlooks through transparent material of the casing and crowns and locatesin the environment. The examiner adjusts angles: panoramic, pantoscopic,table and head, visualizes on monitor and counters the parameters ofangles, distances, lighting, occupational chart. If the patient ispresbyopic, the crown of multifocal lenses is attached in the frontpart, with the multifocal lens step button (36), the lens indicated forage is placed in front of the eyepiece and/or a multifocal lens (53) ofthe test case is placed. The eyepieces are cleared by moving the eyecovers. Takes visual acuity in far, medium and near fields, theprojector focuses on the occupational chart according to the job orprofession and adjusts the size of the projected chart between thehands. A reading test is performed in the far, middle and near visionfield using multifocal lenses. If necessary, the lens holder of the testcase is attached.

1. Ergonomic refraction station consisting of chair with arms to holdthe table, tree, arm to hold the phoropter, monitor, lighting, arms,phoropter with system of positive and negative monofocal sphericallenses, cylindrical, prisms, monitor, step button of cylinder lenses,Jackson Cross-cylinder, step button for “R”, “PH”, Rihsley prisms,characterized by a helmet-phoropter consisting of helmet (3) withlightweight headband adjustable to the size of the patient's head, heldby the “swan neck” support (6) and by an upper ball joint (40), rotatingstub, said helmet joined to the phoropter by the upper part by the balljoint (4) that is screwed to the base (41) and to the upper front partby hinge (5), in addition, the front middle part supported by two sideflexible arms (7) which are assembled to the phoropter to eacharticulated joint or hinges (8) with screw (9) that can be adjusted andon the back of the arm, the terminal (11) is curved, the side arms leavethe lower support (50) which in turn assembles on the central axis ofthe support (46) at the bottom, the phoropter has its two front and backcovers (1) made of non-metallic transparent and resistant material suchas polycarbonate, and lens crown made of transparent material (2) withremovable multifocal lenses (27) of a diameter greater than thespherical and cylindrical lenses, concentric with them, coupling system(26) for lenses crown, eyepieces (29) arranged in V-shape, eye covers(28), electronic pantoscopic angle sensor (10), loudspeaker (16), rotor(17), lenses holder (44) removable from test cases and lever forpositive and negative panoramic angle adjustment (25), the crowncoupling (43) and lenses holder (44) on its external part, step button(36) of multifocal lenses, multifocal lenses (53) of the test case; fromthe station chair come two side swan neck arms (12) attached to a worktable (13) that can be adjusted, on the table there are LED bulbs (14)indicating with a hand FIG. 15) the position where the examinee placeshis, optical sensors (22) indicate to the micro processor the positionand size of the examinee's hands, this regulates the size of the figureof the hands (15) projected onto the table tray (19) and aligns with theFIG. 31) of these in the occupational chart (32) and the FIG. 33) in thetable, electronic inclination sensor (18) of table connected toelectronic circuit projector (30) that can be adjusted located in thefront of the phoropter helmet and whit microprocessor (23) that receivesthe sensor information of the phoropter helmet such as: distance sensor(20) assembled on the ball joint (4) and the inclination sensors (10),(49), (45) and the display circuit (51) and visualizes on theinclination viewer or display (21), selects the vision chart accordingto the profession and sends signal to the projector, besides, it emitssounds typical of the working environment; said microprocessor assembledto the arduino powered by 12 Volts selects the font size for the 20/20,the size of the chart, the optotype, the amount of illumination,direction thereof, the line of visual acuity on the chart and theinclination of characters of the chart according to the position ofhands, head, eyes and the working distance.
 2. Procedure for projectinga selected size chart on the table of the ergonomic refraction station,characterized in that it comprises the steps of: Fitting the phoropterhelmet to the size of the head. Measuring the inclination of thephoropter helmet and the reading table. Recording the pantoscopic angle.Observing through lenses (27) and through the eyepieces (29). Measuringeye-hand distance. Placing hands on the table and activating opticalsensors (22) and distance sensors (20). Sending information to themicroprocessor (23) which shall: Select the distance compensating lensand display on the monitor (24). Select the size of the chart and thecharacters therein. Select the inclination of characters. Adjust thepantoscopic angle. Send signal to the projector (30). Send signal toloudspeakers (16). Project the chart on the ergonomic refraction stationtable. Pass multifocal lenses with the button (36) or place one (53).Table of figures: FIG.
 1. Side view of flexible arm, FIG.
 2. Side viewof phoropter helmet and support, FIG.
 3. The table, FIG.
 4. Side arm,FIG.
 5. Eyepieces, FIG.
 6. Eye cover, FIG.
 7. Front view of thephoropter with transparent casing, FIG.
 8. Phoropter, FIG.
 9. Arm, FIG.10. Structural axis of the helmet and ball joint, FIG.
 11. Transparentcrown for lenses, FIG.
 12. Coupling, crown and lenses holder, FIG. 13.Hands with optical sensors and LED lights, FIG.
 14. Monofocal,multifocal and Ocular lens, FIG.
 15. Station, FIG.
 16. Electroniccircuit.